Synchronized rear vision system

• US 20060158757A1
• Filed: 09/07/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Wang, Jenne-Tai, Sala, Dorel M., Paryani, Kioumars
• Granted Patent: US 7,453,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/865
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

A synchronized rear vision system for a vehicle includes a pair of external side rearview mirrors for attachment to the vehicle and an interior rearview mirror for attachment to the vehicle. The synchronized rear vision system also includes a system master controller for detecting an instantaneous position of one of the side rearview mirrors and calculating position output signals for at least another one of the side rearview mirrors and the interior rearview mirror to automatically position at least the another one of the side rearview mirrors and the interior rearview mirror based on the instantaneous position. The synchronized rear vision system may include a controller to readjust the position of the rearview mirrors based on a position of a driver seat of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A synchronized rear vision system for a vehicle comprising:

a pair of external side rearview mirrors for attachment to the vehicle;

an interior rearview mirror for attachment to the vehicle; and

a system master controller for detecting an instantaneous position of one of said side rearview mirrors and calculating position output signals for at least one of another one of said side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror to automatically position at least one of the another one of said side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror based on the instantaneous position

2. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said external side rearview mirrors comprise a left-hand side rearview mirror and a right-hand side rearview mirror.

3. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 2 including a right-hand side rearview mirror controller receiving the output signals from said system master controller and communicating with said right-hand side rearview mirror to position said right-hand side rearview mirror.

4. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said right-hand side rearview mirror includes a left-right motor and an up-down motor electrically connected to said right-hand side mirror controller.

5. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said right-hand side rearview mirror includes a left-right position sensor and an up-down position sensor electrically connected to said right-hand side mirror controller.

6. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said left-hand side rearview mirror includes a left-right motor and an up-down motor electrically connected to said system master controller.

7. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said left-hand side rearview mirror includes a left-right position sensor and an up-down position sensor electrically connected to said system master controller.

8. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 1 including an interior rearview mirror controller receiving the output signals from said system master controller and communicating with said interior rearview mirror to position said interior rearview mirror.

9. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said interior rearview mirror includes a left-right motor and an up-down motor electrically connected to said interior mirror controller.

10. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said interior rearview mirror includes a left-right position sensor and an up-down position sensor electrically connected to said interior mirror controller.

11. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 1 including a mirror selection switch for selecting at least one of said exterior side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror to be adjusted.

12. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 11 including a mirror adjustment input device communicating with said mirror selection switch and said system master controller to adjust a position of at least one of said exterior side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror selected by said mirror selection switch.

13. A synchronized rear vision system as set forth in claim 1 including a power driver seat controller communicating with a mirror adjustment input device and communicating with said system master controller to readjust a position of at least one of said external side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror based on a position of a driver seat of the vehicle.

14. A synchronized rear vision system for a vehicle comprising:

an adjustable driver seat;

a pair of external side rearview mirrors for attachment to the vehicle;

an interior rearview mirror for attachment to the vehicle;

a power driver seat controller communicating with said driver seat; and

a system master controller for detecting an instantaneous position of one of said side rearview mirrors and calculating position output signals for at least another one of said side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror to automatically position at least the another one of said side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror based on the instantaneous position and to readjust a position of at least one of said side rearview mirrors and said interior rearview mirror based on a position of said driver seat of the vehicle.

15. A method of operating a rear vision system for a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a power mirror user input;

determining a driver task selected based on the power mirror user input;

repositioning a left-hand side rearview mirror if the driver task selected is the left-hand side rearview mirror;

recording a left-right angle and up-down angle of the left-hand side rearview mirror;

determining whether the left-right angle of the left-hand side rearview mirror is greater than a predetermined threshold;

calculating a driver eyes location and left-right angle and up-down angle of a right-hand side rearview mirror and an interior rearview mirror using a Blindzone/Glare Elimination setting formula if the left-right angle of the left-hand side rearview mirror is not greater than a predetermined threshold;

calculating a driver eyes location and left- right angle and up-down angle of a right-hand side mirror and an interior rearview mirror using a Blindzone setting formula if the left-right angle of the left-hand side rearview mirror is greater than a predetermined threshold;

repositioning the interior rearview mirror;

repositioning the right-hand side rearview mirror;

determining whether errors of the left-right angle and the up-down angle of the interior rearview mirror are less than a predetermined value or time expired;

determining whether errors of the left-right angle and the up-down angle of the right-hand side rearview mirror are less than a predetermined value or time expired;

repositioning the interior rearview mirror if the errors of the left-right angle and the up-down angle of the interior rearview mirror are not less than a predetermined value or time expired; and

repositioning the right-hand side rearview mirror if the errors of the left-right angle and the up-down angle of the interior rearview mirror are not less than a predetermined value or time expired.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of repositioning the right-hand side rearview mirror if the driver task selected is the right-hand side rearview mirror.

17. A method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of repositioning the interior rearview mirror if the driver task selected is the interior rearview mirror.

18. A method as set forth in claim 16 including the step of memorizing a user preference of the repositioned right-hand side rearview mirror.

19. A method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of memorizing a user preference of the repositioned interior rearview mirror.

20. A method as set forth in claim 15 including the step of receiving a power driver seat user input.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 including the step of calculating the left-right angle of the left-hand side rearview mirror prior to said step of repositioning the left-hand side rearview mirror.